I feel vertically challenged

I went to NJ Saturday for Clancy’s birthday party. She is 4 years old. Note that even without the fairy princess hat, she’s about as tall as my ribs.

Has Bo Duke become a metrosexual?

Stumbled upon John Schneider signing autographs last night outside the “Chicago” theatre, where he’s currently starring as Billy Flynn. I was actually in the John Schneider fan club as a child, due to the overwhelming popularity of Dukes of Hazzard in rural south Georgia in the early 1980s.

While I am not a fashionista, I did take note of his outfit last night. He was wearing a light blue ensemble (matching sweater, scarf and a beret-like hat). I really wish I’d had my camera.

Excuse me, did someone massage this cow?

Clara was kind enough to invite me to join her table at Megu last Wednesday night. Megu is a trendy Asian place in Tribeca, with the requisite over-the-top design elements: a gigantic 600 lb. prayer bell which serves as the centerpiece of the main dining room, and the buddha ice sculpture (hand-carved daily) that sits beneath the bell.


Last week was Restaurant Week, a perfect time to sample high-end places at a bargain. The 3-course pre fixe menu was $35. I ordered kobe beef as my entree (normally this is $180). Anyway there were no complaints about anything from our table; I should take advantage of Restaurant Week more often.

Other recent good dining excursions:
- shrimp, cheese grits and fried green tomatoes at Clinton Street Baking Company last Tuesday with Charles and Howard
- tapas at Matador with Grace on Thursday
- brioche french toast with a side of live bossa nova at Dos Caminos on Park Avenue Sunday with Joseph

Food-related celebrity sighting:
Chick from Top Chef on the F train a couple of weeks ago, discussing wedding cakes with her girlfriends

One of those things

My middle school counselor Miss Beaver died two weeks ago from a heart attack. She was an endless source of encouragement and motivation to me during a time when I really needed support from someone other than my parents. After I heard of her passing, I pulled "Oh, the places you'll go!" from the bookcase in my bedroom. Miss Beaver gave it to me when I graduated from high school, and she wrote a beautiful inscription on the inside cover. This book travelled with me to college and onto NYC. On dark days when I wondered what the hell I was doing here, I would read the book (and her note). I haven't looked at his book in a very long time, nor have I seen or spoken to Miss Beaver. But her input definitely helped make me the person I am today. I will miss her, as will the countless others whose lives she touched.